Senator avoids NY gas, tolls; argues for gas tax holiday (updated)

Just a little while ago, during a debate on the gas tax holiday bill in the Senate, Sen. Andrew Lanza revealed that he drives through New Jersey to avoid tolls and buying gas in NY, according to someone at the debate.

Lanza is the sponsor of the gas tax holiday bill in the Senate. During Q&A with Sen. Liz Krueger, the Staten Island senator said he saves $8 in gas every time he drives from his district to Albany.

The gas tax holiday bill is the subject of a great deal of debate. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is opposed to the measure, saying that it won’t ensure cost savings for consumers. Assembly and Senate Republicans are in support of the measure.

Update: Sen. Lanza called me up to clarify that he does not go to New Jersey specifically to buy gas; he fills up when he’s driving up to Albany. He also denies mentioning tolls in his speech, and says that regardless, he has to pay tolls when he drives up through NJ.